Monster slide: Fair Trading weighs in as silence continues

THE Queensland Office of Fair Trading has taken up the fight of a number of disgruntled Monster Slide ticketholders who have not received refunds for tickets to the Caloundra event originally scheduled for May.

Monster Slide is trying to go ahead with an event in Caloundra despite not having communicated with local authorities about their plans.

A Sunshine Coast Regional Council spokeswoman confirmed the company had still not applied for permits or alerted authorities about the planned event, which would require traffic diversions and the closure of at least one street.

Monster Slide New Zealand:
Hundreds enjoyed the Monster Slide in New Plymouth, New Zealand

Monster Slide baffled ticketholders when it announced the cancellation of its May 14-16 event with a "reminder" on its Facebook page that the slide would "be back in September (spring time) when the weather warms up".

Mr Hefferan said he received no response to emails he sent the company requesting a refund, except for an automatic acknowledgement.

He then lodged a complaint with the Office of Fair Trading, which had now taken up his fight for a refund with Monster Slide.

A spokesman for the Office of Fair Trading said three complaints were being investigated, and event organiser Jamie Templeton had been contacted.

"Monster Slide has indicated it will process any refunds requested," the spokesman said.

Monster Slide was required by the Australian Consumer Law to provide a full refund for cancelled events, he said.

"If an event is rescheduled, consumers are entitled to a full refund if they are unable to attend a rescheduled event," the spokesman said. "This includes the cost of the ticket, plus all fees and charges."

The company must also refund the tickets promptly and using the same method the consumer paid, he said. With most ticketing websites, this meant reversing the credit card transaction.

Ticketholders who have been unsuccessful in securing a refund from Monster Slide can lodge a complaint at qld.gov.au/fairtrading.

Monster Slide has not responded to requests for comment from three of the Daily's reporters since news of the slide's cancellation broke.